By Barb Arland-Fye
Last summer I spent a day with the associate publisher of The Catholic Spirit, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, for tips on enhancing The Catholic Messenger’s “look.”
Bob Zyskowski oversees an award-winning newspaper for Archbishop John Nienstedt and has been generous in sharing his expertise with me throughout the nine years since I became The Catholic Messenger’s editor.
With the blessings of our own publisher, Bishop Martin Amos, we’ve incorporated some of the changes Bob and others have suggested, which I think has made The Catholic Messenger more visually appealing. But photos, typography, design and layout are one element of the newspaper; the other essential element is faith-based written content: news stories, profiles, diocesan, national and international issues, opinions and reflections that speak to who we are as Catholics and Christians. Our full-time staff of five is committed to producing a diocesan newspaper worthy of your time and that provides spiritual sustenance.
As we launch our annual subscription drive this last weekend in January, I’d like to know your opinion about The Catholic Messenger. What do you like about our diocesan newspaper? What don’t you like? What improvements would you suggest? What draws you into The Catholic Messenger — headlines, photos, issues, a profile about an individual or editorial opinions? What page, section, column or article do you read first? What issues would you like to read more about? Who should we profile in The Catholic Messenger?
How helpful do you find our calendar? Do you attend events listed in the calendar? How do you read The Catholic Messenger — in one sitting, over a week’s time, or longer? Do you share your Catholic Messenger with friends, neighbors or others? Do you receive your Catholic Messenger in a timely manner?
Do you visit our website? If so, what do you look for?
Feel free to answer one or all of these questions, or ask your own questions. I look forward to hearing from you in whatever form of media you prefer: e-mail, U.S. Postal Service, telephone or via our website.
Send me an e-mail at arland-fye@davenportdiocese.org, or post a comment underneath this column on our website at www.catholicmessenger.org, or send a letter via the U.S. Postal Service to Barb Arland-Fye, 780 West Central Park Ave., Davenport, Iowa, 52804, or call me directly at (563) 888-4246.
It is my hope that The Catholic Messenger continues to be a welcome publication in your home or workplace each week.
